TExES Generalist EC-6 Texas History

history of Texas before European colonization

Several native American groups inhabited the territory known today as Texas.
The 3 groups living in the costal plans-the coahuiltecans, karankawas, caddos- were food gathers, fisherman, and farmers. When the Spanish arrived in Texas, they made initial contact with these groups. The name Texas and the state motto of friendship came as result of contact with the caddos.
A fourth group, the jumanos, lived in the mountains and basins of west Texas.
The last 2 groups are the Comanches and apaches. These 2 groups co-existed with Europeans and resisted the colonization efforts. After they domesticated horses, previously introduced by the Spanish, the Comanches and apaches became fearless warriors and successful buffalo hunters.

history of Texas during European colonization

The cabeza de vaca- the Spanish exploration of the territory, today known as Texas, began in 1528, when cabeza de vaca and 3 companions landed in the territory. The 4 Spaniards made contact with the Caddo in the southeastern part of the state near modern day Houston. In his account of the meeting, de vaca described the Caddo as a very sophisticated native American group. From there, de vaca continued exploring the region of modern day new Mexico and Arizona. No other significant events happened in the region until 1541, when Francisco Vazquez de Coronado explored Texas.
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado- in response to reports of the mythical seven cities of Cibola, Coronado lead an exhibition of almost 1000 men in search for the golden cities, the expedition left Mexico city and explored the southwestern us and northern Texas. In 1542, Coronado returned to Mexico empty handed. For the next 140 years, the Texas region remained isolated, and no other attempts were made to colonize it.

Juan de Onate- in 1595, Onate received permission from king Philip ii of Spain to colonize new Mexico. In 1598, he founded the first European settlement west of the Mississippi and new Mexico.

First mission in Texas- in 1682, the Spanish established the first permanent settlement in Texas: the mission of ysleta-del sur near the present day city of el paso. After this mission, no serious efforts were made to colonize the area until the French began to threaten the Spanish hegemony in east Texas.

French influence in Texas- in 1682, Robert de la salle established a French settlement in for St. Louis in east Texas. A few years later, the Spanish expelled the French, and established a series of missions in east Texas to control the French threat in the region.

San Antonio- in 1718, the Spanish established a mission in a fort: san Antonio de Valero and fort san Antonio de Bexar: near what is now the city of san Antonio. These settlements were established to provide protection and support to the settlements in east Texas.

Mexican independence from Spain

during the first part of the nineteenth century, the Spanish empire began crumbling.
Mexico obtained its independence from Spain in 1821 and took control of the colony of Texas.

Anglo-American presence in Texas

in 1820, Moses Austin received permission from the Spanish government to bring Anglo-American families to settle in Texas. This agreement was voided when Mexico took control of the territory. Later, Austin's son, Stephen, negotiated with Mexican government and obtained a similar agreement to allow Anglo-Americans to settle in Texas. By 1835, the settlers were the majority in the region, which antagonized the Mexican government and resulted in war.

Texas war for independence

conflicts between Texans and the Mexican government started as early as 1830. The colonists felt that the government was not providing adequate support and protection to Texas. Initially, they wanted to negotiate with the new pres. Santa Anna, and sent Stephen Austin to Mexico city to represent the colony. The Mexican government were not willing to negotiate and jailed Austin for a year.

first battle in Gonzales

the town of Gonzales has a canon to protect the colonist from the Indians. By order of the government, Mexican soldiers came to take the cannon from the colonist in Oct. 1835. The Texans refused to relinquish their weapon and fired the cannon against the Mexican soldiers. With this incident in Gonzales, the war for Texas independence began.

Sam Houston

former governor of Tennessee who volunteered to fight for Texas and eventually became the commander in chief of the Texas army.

the Alamo and Goliad

the first meaningful battle of the Texas war for independence took place near the present day city of san Antonio in a small mission and fort known as the Alamo. When the war began, it was led by col. William Travis and eventually added historical characters like James bowie and Davie Crockett. In 1836, Santa Anna led Mexican army that took over the Alamo and killed all of its defenders. He continued and took over Goliad. This led to the army creation and eventually victory of Mexico.

Texas declaration of independence

declared in 1836.

battle of san Jacinto

battle at san Jacinto river, near Houston, between Texas army, led by Sam Houston, and Mexico, still led by Santa Anna. Santa Anna was captured. In return for his freedom, he and Texas president signed the treaty of velasco, where Santa Anna's troops had to withdraw from Texas. Sam Houston became the president of the new republic, from 1836-1845, Texas functioned as an independent nation.

Texas joins the united states

in 1845, Texas became the 28th state in of the American union. Troops were then sent to secure the Texas boarder at the rio grande. These clashes led to congress declaring war on Mexico in 1846.

mexican-american war

between 1846 and 1848, Mexico and the united states waged a war that ended with a decisive victory and tremendous land acquisitions for the united states. Mexico surrendered land of Texas at rio grande and California as result of treaty of Guadalupe. Rio grande became official Texas Mexico border.

confederacy period (1861-1865)

Texas left the union during the American civil war and joined confederacy as proslavery. After 5 years confederate army led by Robert e lee surrendered to union forces, led by Ulysses s grant.

reconstruction period (1865-1877)

Texas was briefly under occupation by us troops.
Texas was allowed to rejoin the union in 1870.
The kkk became very active at this time in Texas and other southern states.

economic development after reconstruction

after this period, Texas economy flourished, largely based on the growth of cattle industry.
Barbed wire was introduced in 1880.

oil in Texas

in 1901, this was discovered in the spindle top oil field near Beaumont.
This made Texas the leading producer of the product in the us.

six flags over Texas

refers to the fact that flags of six different countries that have exerted control in Texas from 1519, when the first European exploration of the region by Cortes took place, to the present. These are Spain (1519-1821), France (1685-1690), Mexico (1821-1836), republic of Texas (1836-1845), united states (1845-1861), Texas in the confederacy (1861-1865), and the united states of America "back to the American union" (1870-present).

state flower

bluebonnet

state bird

mockingbird

state tree

pecan

state motto

friendship

border states

Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, new Mexico

state song

Texas, our Texas

geography

the study of the earth's surface, the organisms that populate it, and their interaction with the ecosystem.
It can be divided into 2 areas:
1. Physical- refers to the physical characteristics of the surface of the earth and how those features affect life.
2. Cultural- deals with the interaction of humans with their environment and how that interaction produces changes.